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WHY GOOD ARTWORK IS NEEDED

Some printers and designers use Corel programs, some use Adobe programs, and there are other good programs such as Freehand that people swear by. Some of these programs came with some good photos, art and clipart in their packages. But often artists need more in order to add interest to their work.

Artwork, clipart, or photos that are included in graphic arts packages or software can be of very good quality, but are limited and can be dated.Each company I worked for had some sources for good clip art and logo helpers in their professional software.

Of course, sometimes I drew my own art, but for the sake of speed (and my limitations!) I often used commercial art source books.

These books are sometimes online and charge for every logo, piece of artwork, or photo. A good commercial piece of art can be pricey, and well worth it. For people like me, who don�t have much extra money, it can pay to find FREE art and photo sites.

THE BEST SITES AND CLICKABLE LINKS FOR YOU

I am now almost ready to list the best free sites that I have found so far. Before I do, it is important to read these handy hints.

FIVE HANDY TIPS TO READ BEFORE DOWNLOADING ART OR PHOTOS FROM THE INTERNET:

Always check out every FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page on each art or photo web page. Be sure that you are following the rules for each web page.

1. Know the policy for each web page when it comes to using their artwork. Some sites listed here are free, but only for personal use. Other websites allow you to use all of the images commercially as well. If a website is offering public domain art, they may or may not have a copyright on the artwork. Just check this out on the FAQ as well.

2. Be aware that some sites have both free and pay areas. You may migrate to another area without knowing it on the very same website. On some websites, you can make one mistaken click and be on a pay area. Be sure to check which area of the site (the free or the pay area) you are in before you download artwork or photos. You will not have to pay until you OK each purchase, if you want to purchase art or photos.

3. Know where you are going to download. Most sites allow you to pick where your artwork will wind up on your computer. I find it easiest to put all my art or ebook downloads on the computer desktop. You may find your art folder handiest.

4. It is totally up to you where you put your downloaded artwork. Some computers, programs, or web browsers have a preferences folder where you can send your art or photos automatically. You need to have this information furnished before you download.

5. Check out all the information about copyright (below) and on the web. This will help you only download art, information, books, or photos that are legal for you to use.

Attention: some of these sites may have popups, or ads that pop up on your computer when you go to them. Fix your popups in your preferences area and it might help.

Also, you can just "X" out of these at the upper right of the popup window when you get them, and the page you really wanted will turn up underneath them.

So... just a word to the wise. These pages are free, but some can be annoying at times.

AAA-GENERAL CLIPART:

Microsoft Clipart pages

Wow. The Microsoft clipart pages definitely are a major resource, especially for PC users. I have found SO many great images here. Microsoft does have links to some pay areas where you can find other types of artwork, too, but the clipart pages are FREE. Microsoft has moving clip art, retro clip art, and brand-new-looking designer clip art.

Make sure if you have a Mac, that you have a full version of MS Word on your computer so that you can download these easier. It really does make it worth getting Microsoft Word just to get this free clipart if you can afford that.

Just browse the clipart or search using keywords such as shoes or people to find hundreds of great FREE artwork to use on your projects. Mac users: if you can, get MS Word so you can access these. Just going there to look will let you know why. After you buy the program, you can use Internet Explorer to put new graphics into the "add clipart" section of MS Word for you.

You can also download sounds on these pages, along with clipart that moves. The art on these pages come in both one color and multi-color.

FREE Avery Clip Art collection online:

The Avery site, which is a commercial site, does not just have templates for their famous stickers and labels. They also have free templates for folders and other art. This is a great place to explore. Not as big as Microsoft, but there are a few good ones here.

Public Domain Media links

This nice website designed by 4J Library Coordinator Sheryl Steinke has text, audio, video and graphic sites all in an easy-to-read chart that helps you find just what you need.

Clip art and photo links

Cool dark and scary clipart

I would say to use this collection for Halloween or just plain scary websites or copy.

3D Cafe

This website has some free stuff; however, you must link back to the website if you use the art commercially. Refer to the site for details.

My Hideaway.com

This site offers free graphics.

Kelta Free Clipart

This clipart is for personal use only.

Clipart links

Tudogs

Most people think of the Tudogs site as being primarily a software site featuring shareware and freeware. It also has some very nice clipart, too.

WARNING: I have recently tried to go on the website and could not get the email back from them.

Perhaps you will have better luck.

Clipix free clip art

Weganast Graphic Links

Free building clipart

ANTIQUE AND HISTORIC CLIPART

Heraldry Clipart

Free vintage graphics

Civil War Clipart Gallery

Victorian clipart - watch for popups on this one!

This artwork is also FREE for business and personal use.

Antique Clipart

Small sizes are free here, but larger sizes of art you have to pay for.

Grandmas Graphics

This site features vintage graphics and clipart that is FREE for low-resolution versions of the artwork.

CELTIC CLIPART

Free clip art logos and borders (free with link back) - panels, circles, gripping beasts, backdrops and border sets.

Celtic Castle Designs - free with link back and graphic. Included are banner backgrounds, and awards.

Public Domain knotware lines

Open Clipart knots

Celtic Art from the Karen's Whimsy site

EDUCATIONAL CLIPART

Pics For Learning

This is another cool and free clipart site geared towards educational use, but you may very well find some things here to use, even if you aren�t a teacher.

Classroom Clipart

PHOTOGRAPHS

NEW - 12-11-07: The Stock Exchange Photo site. This site has many photos, and all for free. I can't wait to explore here to see these photos. This came recommended by a web designer.

Then Public Domain Photo database

This site is FREE for non-commercial use. Do you need to use this art commercially? Just ask the artists for permission first. This may involve a fee.

Imageafter.com

The Imageafter site has FREE art for personal OR commercial use.

Photographers make it, to be changed at will, if you need to change it. The only thing you can�t do is use the pictures on an online resource site like theirs.

Morguefile

Another FREE art site VERY nice and professional-looking photos Use as needed, just don�t compete with another free site using their images.

Free Foto

This site offers free photos for non-commercial sites.

http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

MORE ABOUT PUBLIC DOMAIN CLIPART AND ARTWORK

The best thing about public domain artwork is that most of it can be used for any project. It can also be changed or redone. You can also use part of each image to make something new.

As a general definition, artwork in the public domain is published art after 1924. The original copyright holder(s) are gone, and/or they did not fill out the required paperwork to extend the original copyright. This art is sometimes now free for public use.

Most public domain sites let you use the artwork for anything, and many give it away for free - - but make sure you check first to make sure that this is the story for each site you visit.

Some sites have found public domain art and have published them with copyright. For this reason, you should read all the fine print on the site (FAQs etc.) , just in case.

The U.S. Government Archives - still photos section

Public Domain images links

From princetonon.com. This site offers a good selection of public domain links.

Springfield Township Public Domain Links

This site features another quality list of mostly Public Domain images.

WSUs Public Domain resources

More Public Domain Images

Public Domain art from uni.edu

Public Domain collections on the web

RAILROAD CLIPART

Railroad clip art

http://www.ribbonrail.com/art/index.html

SCOUTING CLIPART

Acout Image clipart pages

Lots of FREE clipart for scouts.

Scouter Network clipart

MORE SITES TO EXPLORE:

Morguefile recommends the following pages:

http://www.imageafter.com/

http://www.openphoto.net/

http://www.sxc.hu/

http://ppdigital.com/

http://www.piotrpix/

Free images and textures:

http://www.bigfoto.com/

For more great freebies, visit TheFreeSite.com

Free Graphics Centre -web sized downloads are free,

bigger ones you can pay by the photo.

http://www.freegraphicscentre.com/index.php

A LITTLE ABOUT ART COPYRIGHT

People must be careful about not using books artwork on the internet that is copyrighted - - without permission from the artist or author. They must be extra careful to only use artwork that is in the public domain or that the artist him or herself has okayed for personal or commercial use - - or both.

WHAT IS COPYRIGHTED ON THE INTERNET?

Just about everything. If in doubt, always assume that art, clipart, and written copy is all copyrighted. It does not even need an official copyright (©) symbol to automatically have a copyright.

It is important to know that using any artwork without the permission of the artist or author (if the art is not in the public domain) is not allowed. If in doubt, check, and ask.

Here is a little more about copyright:

You can learn even more at the Project Gutenberg website.

CAVEAT EMPTOR... downloader beware...

I do request that you double-check all of the sites listed in this ebook to make sure that the artwork is totally free and clear for you to use personally or commercially; or both. Usually, the site will announce its copyright policy. It is possible, though, that the website owner may offer both free and copyrighted art on his or her site.

To be safe, follow all of the site instructions.

The site may request that you only use the artwork for personal use (or on a personal website). They may change from a free to a pay site after time. That is another reason why it is important to always read the site guidelines for art and copy downloading.

Some websites may allow you to use low-resolution (low-res) copies of their artwork, but charge for higher resolution images.

Also, websites change from time to time. Be sure to read all the fine print on all art and photo websites to make sure you are downloading or using legal artwork or photos the way the artist or author wishes them used.

MORE ABOUT THE WEBSITES ON THIS PAGE

These sites run the gamut from cartoon-ish clipart to very professional full-color photos. Some sites let you upload your own artwork or photographs to their site for others to use. This can be rewarding if you are a professional or amateur who wants to get people to visit your website or portfolio site.

Do you have another site that you would like to add to this page? I am going to do another ebook, too with this information plus new sites.

The first ebook I did (with some of the same information as on this page) is available for free download here.

Let me know about other great free or public domain sites that you like by visiting my website (below) and sending me an email.

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

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